What To Do When Your Windshield Cracks While Driving

Automakers design the windshields of modern cars to hold up against a lot, but there are still times when a crack appears seemingly out of nowhere. Maybe this has never happened to you, but if you drive long enough, you’ll probably face it at some point. Damage to your car’s glass can come instantly, so here’s what to do when your windshield cracks while driving.

Stop and Assess the Damage

If you’re driving and suddenly notice an object of some kind come across your field of vision that causes a small chip or crack in your windshield, stay calm. Just because your windshield has cracked doesn’t mean it will shatter; you’re not in immediate danger.

If you can still see out of your windshield, slow down, put your hazard lights on, and take your time pulling over. If not, stay calm, roll down your driver’s side window and see in front of you through it. Turn on your hazards and carefully pull over. Once you’re safely off the road, assess the damage of the crack and take pictures for insurance purposes.

Get It Fixed Immediately

It’s easy to think, "It’s a small crack, so what’s the big deal?” That line of thinking is dangerous, and we urgently recommend you get your windshield fixed or replaced immediately. Once your windshield has cracked or chipped, its integrity is compromised. You could face more significant cracks and splinters if you don’t address the issue, obscuring your vision and putting you in an unsafe driving situation.

Pull the car over and arrange alternative transportation or call a local repair shop. As an auto glass and auto paint shop in Chicago, River North has technicians ready to help at a moment’s notice. Repair shops can fix some small chips or cracks, but it’s generally safer to replace the entire windshield. We can do that quickly so that you can get on with the rest of your day.

Can a Cracked Windshield Shatter?

Yes, a windshield can shatter, but not as you’ve seen in movies. Automakers design windscreens to keep from shattering in your face by combining two layers of glass with one layer of polyvinyl butyral. This inner plastic layer holds the windshield intact when it breaks. So instead of glass shattering on you while driving, it cracks in a spiderweb-like fashion.

Hopefully, now you know what to do when your windshield cracks while driving. The important thing is to stay calm, stay safe, and get the windshield repaired as soon as possible. A crack compromises your windshield, your driving vision, and the safety of you and your passengers. Even the tiniest chips can grow into bigger cracks, so don’t take them lightly.